Lives of Scripture

Micaiah, son of Imlah, is introduced only when King Ahab of Israel, planning a joint campaign with King Jehoshaphat of Judah against Aram at Ramoth-gilead, is pressed by Jehoshaphat to consult a prophet of the LORD, since Ahab's 400 court prophets had already unanimously promised victory (1 Kings 22:1-6). Ahab admitted plainly, 'there is yet one man by whom we may inquire of the LORD, but I hate him, because he does not prophesy good concerning me, but evil... Micaiah' (22:8). Summoned, Micaiah first answered sarcastically in the same false tone as the other prophets, but when pressed by Ahab to tell the truth, he described a vision of Israel scattered like sheep without a shepherd and of God allowing a deceiving spirit into the mouths of Ahab's prophets specifically to lure Ahab to his death at Ramoth-gilead (22:15-23). One of the false prophets, Zedekiah, struck Micaiah on the cheek in anger, and Ahab had Micaiah imprisoned on scant bread and water until his safe return -- to which Micaiah replied, 'If you indeed return safely the LORD has not spoken by me,' calling on all the people present as witnesses (22:24-28). Ahab went to battle anyway, disguising himself, but was struck by a stray arrow and died that evening, exactly as Micaiah alone, against four hundred voices, had faithfully declared.